Number coding not suspended during 3-day transport strike —MMDA

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday said the expanded number coding scheme will not be suspended during the three-day transport strike set to start Wednesday.

In a press conference, MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes said the government is ready to assist commuters that will be affected by the strike to be staged by transport groups Manibela and PISTON against the PUV Modernization Program.

"Magkakaroon ng inventory ng mga assets na puwedeng i-deploy, 'di lang sa 'min kundi sa iba't-ibang agencies at sa DOTr (Department of Transportation). Nakahanda naman ang pamahaalan narumesponde, as usual," said Artes. 

(We will have an inventory of assets that can be deployed, not only by us but by other agencies and the Department of Transportation. The government is ready to respond, as usual.) 

The transport strike will start at Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City to Mendiola, Manila, according to the transport groups. 

Artes, however, said he doubts the transport strike will be successful in putting a stop on the PUVMP.

"I don’t think successful sila. Dahil nagsalita naman na po ang ating Pangulo na hindi na po isu-suspend o titigil ang modernzation. So in that aspect masasabi ko po na hindi successful ang strike nila," he said. 

(I don't think they will be successful. Because our President has already said that modernization will not be suspended or stopped. So in that aspect, I can say that their strike would be unsuccessful.)

Artes added that the only thing the strike would accomplish is to cause inconvenience among commuters.

Manibela head Mar Valbuena announced the transport strike last week after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. thumbed down the Senate resolution calling for PUVMP's suspension. 

Proposed Senate Resolution 1096, signed by 22 of the 23 senators, urged the government to temporarily suspend the implementation of the transport modernization program.

The lawmakers cited concerns on the high number of unconsolidated PUV units, phaseout of the iconic jeepney design "in favor of so-called modern jeepneys," low percentage of approved routes, among others.

Started in 2017, the PUVMP aims to replace jeepneys with vehicles that have at least a Euro 4-compliant engine to lessen pollution. It also aims to replace units that are no longer considered roadworthy.

A modern jeepney unit costs over P2 million, an amount that even state-run banks LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines said was too expensive for PUV drivers and operators.

The consolidation of individual PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations is the initial stage of the modernization program. —KBK, GMA Integrated News